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Peter S. Beagle Named SFWA Damon Knight Grand Master
I don’t always write about automation, technology, and manufacturing. I write and edit science fiction, fantasy and alternate history as well. This brings me into contact with a variety of well-known writers, like Larry Niven, the late Jerry Pournelle (who I replaced as a Director of the Heinlein Society) and many others.
I have known Peter Beagle since 1973, when I did the lighting and set design for a play he was performing in at UC Santa Cruz. He is one of my favorite people. A couple of years ago, at Balticon, my wife Joy Ward, who is the interview columnist for Galaxy’s Edge magazine, with some technical assistance from me, conducted a far-ranging interview with Peter, excepts from which were published in the September 2016 issue of Galaxy’s Edge magazine, and a longer version to be published by Shahid Mahmoud sometime this year. We are extremely delighted that Peter has received this very long overdue honor from his peers.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is pleased to announce that Peter S. Beagle has been named the 34th Damon Knight Grand Master for his contributions to the literature of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
The Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award is given by SFWA for “lifetime achievement in science fiction and/or fantasy.” Beagle joins the Grand Master ranks alongside such legends as C. J. Cherryh, Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. LeGuin, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Joe Haldeman. The award will be presented at the 52nd Annual Nebula Awards Weekend in Pittsburgh, PA, May 17-20, 2018.
Beagle may be best known for his novel The Last Unicorn, and has also explored our fascination with the mythical in The Innkeeper’s Song, A Fine and Private Place, and a wide variety of short fiction. Beagle won the Hugo and the Nebula Award for his 2005 novelette “Two Hearts.” He has won the Mythopoeic Award for his novels The Folk of the Air and Tamsin. He was nominated for a Hugo for his adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings for Ralph Bakshi’s animated version and wrote the screenplay for the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Sarek.”
SFWA PRESIDENT, CAT RAMBO
Peter Beagle’s work has been the gateway for multitudes of fantasy readers, but also writers as well, including myself. His work shines a light on the human heart and its beauties even when that heart is flawed and wanting, showing how that beauty arises from such imperfect conditions. Beagle unquestionably belongs among the greats, and I count it a privilege to invite him to be the next SFWA Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master.
The Nebula Awards will be presented during the annual SFWA Nebula Conference, which will run from May 17th-20th and feature expert presentations, seminars and panel discussions on the craft and business of writing, SFWA’s annual business meeting, and receptions. On May 20th, a mass autograph session will take place at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center and is open to the public. For more information on the conference, including a link to register, please visit nebulas.sfwa.org.
The Nebula Awards recognize the best works of science fiction and fantasy published in the United States as selected by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, membership in which is open to professional science fiction and fantasy authors. The first Nebula Awards were presented in 1966.
In addition to the Nebula Awards, SFWA will present the Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation, the Andre Norton Award for Outstanding Young Adult Science Fiction or Fantasy Book, the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award, the Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Service to SFWA Award, and the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.